ARRL Letter

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The ARRL Letter
Vol. 25, No. 37
September 15, 2006
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IN THIS EDITION:
* +League granted experimental license for 500 kHz research
* +ARRL member, ARES volunteer receives volunteer service award
* +Ham radio operation back on civilian space traveler's agenda
* +License loss could follow felonies, alleged corporate misdeeds
* +Heil Sound Ltd welcomes Chip Margelli, K7JA, to its team
* +Tom Hogerty, KC1J, is League's new Contest Branch manager
* +ARRL HQ graphic designers win prestigious award
* Solar Update
* IN BRIEF:
This weekend on the radio
ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
+ARRL again participating in the Combined Federal Campaign
Alan Bloom, N1AL, wins August QST Cover Plaque Award
Long-distance CW QSO marks milestone in LF experimentation
Microwave Update 2006 offers learning opportunity
Lifetime licenses for UK/Great Britain hams delayed
Islands on the Air program announces Icom sponsorship deal
+Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>
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==>ARRL GRANTED EXPERIMENTAL LICENSE FOR 500 KHZ RESEARCH BY RADIO AMATEURS
The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology on September 13 granted Part
5 experimental license WD2XSH to the ARRL on behalf of a group of radio
amateurs interested in investigating spectrum in the vicinity of 500 kHz.
The two-year authorization permits experimentation and research between 505
and 510 kHz (600 meters) using narrowband modes at power levels of up to 20
W effective radiated power (ERP). ARRL Member Fritz Raab, W1FR, of Vermont,
will serve as experimental project manager for "The 500 KC Experimental
Group for Amateur Radio" <http://www.500kc.com/>
"I'm kind of excited to see how we can apply modern technology to a 'classic
part' of the radio spectrum," Raab told ARRL this week. He pointed out that
500 kHz - the traditional maritime emergency frequency - is roughly
geometrically halfway between the 136 kHz experimental band and the 160
meter amateur allocation.
"In contrast to 160 meters, 500 kHz is low enough to offer good groundwave
propagation, but in contrast to 137 kHz it is high enough to allow us to
engage in real communication with realistic equipment." Raab eventually
would like to see at least a secondary 600-meter amateur allocation from 495
to 510 kHz.
"Besides the opportunities for experimenting at low frequencies, that
frequency is well suited to regional groundwave communication," Raab said.
He envisions eventual use of the spectrum to provide Amateur Radio emergency
communication via groundwave, without having to deal with the vagaries of
the ionosphere or causing interference to other services.
For about a century, the 500 kHz region was an important band for maritime
communication, emergency and otherwise. The band is occasionally used by
"heritage" commercial maritime stations, such as the Maritime Radio
Historical Society's KPH on the West Coast, on special occasions. 500 kHz
remains designated as an official maritime emergency CW frequency, although
the vast majority of maritime users have shifted to satellite-based systems.
In addition to experimentation and regional emergency work, Raab says he
believes that the 505-510 kHz spectrum could serve as "an historic band"
that could support various commemorative special event-type operations.
Proposals are under consideration in the UK and Ireland to establish an
experimental Amateur Radio allocation in the vicinity of 500 kHz.
The WD2XSH project calls for operation from 21 discrete fixed sites spread
throughout the US. Participants all are electrical professionals, many with
maritime radio backgrounds, Raab said, adding that operation already has
begun. The group eventually will be seeking reports from non-participants,
he said.
Raab says the gear participants will use represents "every kind of antenna
and equipment you can imagine," including surplus vacuum-tube maritime
units. At his Colchester, Vermont, location he's using a 42-foot vertical,
but others are employing inverted Ls, loops and Marconis, among others.
Raab was a co-author of the article "A 100-W Class-D Power Amplifier for LF
and MF," which appeared in the March-April edition of QEX
<http://www.arrl.org/qex/2006/03/toc.pdf>. He's using an amplifier of that
design for his WD2XSH operations.
The FCC turned down a 1998 petition from the ARRL to create an Amateur Radio
"sliver band" in the vicinity of 136 kHz, but some US amateur licensees have
obtained FCC Part 5 Experimental licenses to research the possibilities of
LF, including transatlantic and transpacific propagation. Amateur Radio
licensees in Europe and elsewhere already have access to 135.7 to 137.8 kHz,
and several hams in Canada have authorization to operate there using Amateur
Radio call signs.
==>MICHIGAN ARES VOLUNTEER RECEIVES AWARD FROM PRESIDENT BUSH
President George W. Bush has presented the President's Volunteer Service
Award to a Michigan ARRL member and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
volunteer. Genesee County Emergency Coordinator and RACES Radio Officer Greg
Ybarra, N8HXQ, of Flint, accepted the award during the president's September
8 visit to Flint. Ybarra told ARRL he got word just a couple of weeks ago
that local emergency managers had nominated him for the honor. On September
6, Ybarra got the call from the White House informing him that not only had
he been selected as a "USA Freedom Corps Greeter"
<http://www.freedomcorps.gov/about_usafc/newsroom/local_vols.asp> he'd be
meeting the president in person.
"I was in shock and didn't know what to say," Ybarra told ARRL this week,
"so I said, 'That is great.'" Ybarra -- who calls himself neither a
Republican nor a Democrat -- says his apparent initial lack of enthusiasm on
the telephone prompted the White House aide to ask if he wasn't excited to
be meeting the president. But, as he put it, "I felt my heart was going a
hundred miles an hour, and I was trying to stay calm and focused."
Ybarra says Genesee County Emergency Management Director Grace Ranger,
KC8BOE, and Emergency Management Program Manager Tami Yorks, KC8YGS,
submitted his name to recognize his work as a volunteer with Genesee County
ARES (GCARES). At first, Ybarra was advised not to say anything about the
pending award to anyone -- not even his wife, Maria. And even when he got
the okay to tell her, "Well needless to say she didn't believe me," Ybarra
said.
When the big day arrived, Ybarra and his wife got to Bishop International
Airport early. "I was fine until the president started walking toward me,"
he said. "Then I got nervous and tongue tied. It was a great honor to meet
President Bush in person."
The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation created the
President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to express appreciation
for and honor Americans who inspire others by their example to engage in
volunteer service.
Ybarra, 52, is an electrician at General Motors Powertrain -- North Flint.
He's been a radio amateur and GCARES volunteer for about 20 years. He also
teaches Amateur Radio licensing classes.--some information from Jerry Baker,
KD8AYL/GCARES
==>CIVILIAN SPACE TRAVELER SET TO TRY AMATEUR RADIO FROM ISS AFTER ALL
Hold the phone! The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
program now says US businesswoman Anousheh Ansari, who will travel to the
ISS September 18 as part of the Russian Soyuz TMA-9 "taxi mission," will
attempt some Amateur Radio contacts while in space after all. Earlier
indications from Ansari, 39, were that she had decided not to get a license
and would not do any ham radio contacts.
"Anousheh wishes to talk with US-licensed school children in random QSOs,"
ARRL ARISS Liaison Rosalie White, K1STO, says. "She will be on the air at
various times from Thursday, September 21, until Tuesday, September 26,
using RS0ISS. Because of third-party traffic rules, Ansari may only speak
with Amateur Radio licensees.
A tentative schedule also calls for Ansari to speak with students at George
Washington University, her alma mater, on Friday, September 22. Ansari has
had training on the ARISS gear but because of her tight training schedule in
Russia was unable to get her license.
Space Adventures Ltd <http://www.spaceadventures.com/> is handling
arrangements for Ansari's mission. She's a last-minute stand-in for Daisuke
"Dice-K" Enomoto as the fourth private citizen - and the first female
civilian - to fly to the ISS. She'll spend approximately 10 days in space.
"By reaching this dream I've had since childhood, I hope to tangibly
demonstrate to young people all over the world that there is no limit to
what they can accomplish," said Ansari, who's chairman and co-founder of
Prodea Systems Inc.
According to Space Adventures, Ansari wants to be a space ambassador and
"share the spaceflight experience with as many people as possible, and use
her experience to help educate."
"She also wants to use the mission to further educate children on the
importance of space travel and life in space," Space Adventures added.
==>FELONIES, ALLEGED CORPORATE MISDEEDS COULD COST RADIO AMATEUR HIS LICENSE
The FCC has ordered an Indiana commercial and Amateur Radio license holder,
Timothy M. Doty, WB9MCD, of W Terre Haute, and a Land Mobile Service (LMS)
company in which he's a principal to show cause why their respective
licenses should not be revoked. In an Order to Show Cause released August
30, the FCC said it received information last year suggesting that
Commercial Radio Service Inc (CRS) "may not have properly disclosed
information" about Doty's felony convictions in applications it filed with
the Commission.
"The character of the applicant is among those factors that the Commission
considers in its review of applications to determine whether the applicant
has the requisite qualifications to be a Commission licensee," the FCC said
in the show cause order. Felony convictions "raise potential questions
regarding a licensee's qualifications," the FCC said. "Similarly, because of
the extent of his ownership and control of CRS, Mr Doty's felony convictions
also raise serious questions about the character qualifications of CRS to be
and remain a Commission licensee."
The FCC said CRS's response to a letter of inquiry it had sent last May
determined that Doty has been a director and 50 percent shareholder of CRS,
and, until last May, a CRS officer. CRS holds licenses for four Private LMS
stations and one Commercial LMS station. Doty holds a General Radiotelephone
Operator license in addition to his ham ticket. All of the licenses are in
jeopardy.
The Commission said publicly available records show that Doty was convicted
in federal court of a felony that involved manufacture and possession of
unauthorized satellite TV descrambling devices. He received three years'
probation and a $2000 fine in that case, the FCC said in the Order. In
addition, the FCC said, publicly available records indicated Doty was found
guilty in state court on a felony count of possessing a controlled
substance. For that conviction, he was sentenced to 18 months' incarceration
with all but 30 days suspended, the FCC said in the Order.
Subsequent to his federal and state felony convictions, the FCC asserts, CRS
failed to reveal that the applicant or any party directly or indirectly
controlling the applicant had ever been convicted of a felony in state or
federal court.
The FCC said misrepresentation and lack of candor "raise immediate concerns
as to whether a licensee will be truthful in future dealings with the
Commission." CRS, the FCC maintained, should have revealed Doty's felony
convictions in its Commission filings. "The Commission may revoke the
license of a licensee who deliberately makes misrepresentations or lacks
candor in dealing with the agency because he or she lacks the basic
character qualifications to hold the license,." the FCC said.
Assuming that CRS and Doty respond to the show cause order within 30 days of
its release, the Commission indicated it would schedule a hearing to
determine whether Doty's felony convictions affect his and CRS's
qualifications to be and remain a Commission licensee and to determine
whether CRS made misrepresentations and/or lacked candor in its dealings
with the FCC.
"CRS's failure to disclose the felony convictions of one of its principals
raises a substantial and material question of fact as to whether CRS made
false certifications, misrepresented facts to the Commission and/or
demonstrated a lack of candor," the FCC said in its discussion of the case.
The FCC suggested that CRS declined to reveal Doty's felony convictions
because it knew the information would potentially disqualify CRS and Doty as
Commission licensees.
Regardless of the outcome of the hearing on the character qualification
issues, the FCC said it also would determine whether to fine CRS as much as
$97,500 for its alleged failure to disclose Doty's felony convictions in one
or more applications.
Since the 1990s, the FCC has applied character qualification standards
previously reserved for broadcast licensees to applicants and licensees in
other radio services, including the Amateur Radio Service.
The Order to Show Cause is available on the FCC Web site
<<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-128A1.pdf>.
==>CHIP MARGELLI, K7JA, MOVES TO HEIL SOUND LTD
Well-known Amateur Radio industry personality Chip Margelli, K7JA, has
joined Heil Sound Ltd <http://www.heilsound.com/> as vice president of sales
and marketing. Heil Sound President Bob Heil, K9EID, and his wife Sarah
announced September 14 that Margelli will be responsible for all national
and international Amateur Radio sales and marketing plans. Margelli, who for
many years has been associated with the Yaesu Amateur Radio brand and
regularly fronted that manufacturer's hamfest concessions all over the US,
says he's "honored and excited" to be making the move to Heil Sound.
"Heil Sound is a dynamic, growing, and creative enterprise, and I look
forward to being a part of their bright future," Margelli commented.
Calling it "an historic day for Amateur Radio," Heil said Margelli "brings
his great passion and knowledge of Amateur Radio to this new post." He cited
Margelli's more than 40 years of experience and expertise as a DXer,
DXpeditioner, contester and top-notch CW operator "along with his great
knowledge of just about every radio in existence" as assets that will
benefit Heil Sound's dealers and customers worldwide.
Licensed since 1963, Margelli is an ARRL Life Member. He also belongs to
AMSAT and the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA). He and his wife
Janet, KL7MF, live in Garden Grove, California.
Margelli has authored articles for QST, QCWA Journal, CQ and CQ VHF
magazines. His most recent contribution for QST was "Field Day 2003 from
Cuba," which appeared in the December 2003 issue. Margelli enjoys operating
on all amateur bands from HF through UHF -- including "weak-signal"
terrestrial and moonbounce work and satellite operation -- and has a special
fondness for 6 meters. Beyond ham radio, Margelli enjoys photography,
astronomy and running marathons.
Margelli holds both bachelor's and master's degrees (political science and
business administration, respectively) from the University of Washington. He
speaks fluent Japanese.
In May 2005, Margelli and partner Ken Miller, K6CTW, enjoyed their "15
minutes of Amateur Radio fame" with an appearance on The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno on NBC. Using Morse code, the two radio amateurs went head to head
with US cell-phone text messaging champ Ben Cook and his partner to see
which mode would get the message through in the shortest time. Margelli,
Miller and Morse won hands down.
Outside of the realm of the Amateur Radio industry, Margelli and Heil are
longtime friends. An industry personality in his own right, Heil was
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in June on the basis of his
pioneering sound work with a variety of rock bands, including The James Gang
and The Eagles (see "Hall of Famer Bob Heil, K9EID: "It's all Because of Ham
Radio!" in Oct 2006 QST, p 49). Another Heil friend, Joe Walsh, WB6ACU,
plays in both bands.
Contact Margelli via e-mail <Chip@heilsound.com&gt;.
==>ARRL HQ VETERAN TOM HOGERTY, KC1J, TAKES OVER CONTEST BRANCH
Tom Hogerty, KC1J, has assumed the reins of the Contest Branch within the
ARRL Membership Services Department. With nearly 19 years of experience in
various positions at ARRL Headquarters, Hogerty most recently worked in the
Software and Web Development Department. The move to Contest Branch Manager
marks his return to the Membership Services Department.
"This marks the third time I've worked with the fine folks in MSD, and I
very much look forward to my new responsibilities there," Hogerty said.
ARRL Membership Services Department Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, said, "We're
extremely happy to have Tom back in our department." He pointed out that
Hogerty helped guide the DXCC Branch through its conversion from paper to
computer recordkeeping in addition to his involvement in ham radio
regulatory matters.
As Contest Branch Manager, Hogerty succeeds Dan Henderson, N1ND, who took
over as Regulatory Information Branch specialist earlier this year following
the death of John Hennessee, N1KB.
Mills said Hogerty will be responsible "for the nuts-and-bolts operation of
the Contest Branch." This includes ensuring that the contest log "robots"
are operating properly, overseeing the preparation of contest results and
handling the Contest Branch's customer service activities - including
answering myriad questions from contesters that come up each day.
"With more and more Web-based presentation, Tom will be a great asset to the
program," Mills added.
Hogerty also will coordinate with various volunteers who assist the League
in contesting matters. These include Trey Garlough, N5KO, who operates the
"contest robot," as well as log checkers Tree Tyree, N6TR; Dave Pruett,
K8CC; Ken Wolff, K1EA, and Larry Weaver, N6TW. Bruce Horn, WA7BNM, also
contributes a number of services, while Garlough and Contest Advisory
Committee Chairman Ward Silver, N0AX, serve as general consultants to the
Contest Branch.
Kathy Allison, KA1RWY, the Contest Branch assistant, also works with Logbook
of the World (LoTW) <http://www.arrl.org/lotw>.
After joining the League staff in 1988 as Regulatory Information Department
manager, Hogerty subsequently served as DXCC manager, Regulatory Information
Supervisor and Web assistant among other positions. He previously worked 17
years for The Hartford Insurance Group. He's studied business administration
at the University of Hartford and Central Connecticut State University, and
he has extensive training and experience in computer applications and Web
site operations.
==>ARRL WINS AMERICAN GRAPHIC DESIGN AWARD FOR SECOND YEAR
A nationwide panel of judges has selected ARRL Headquarters graphic
designers Sue Fagan and Diane Szlachetka as 2006 American Graphic Design
Awards winners. The honor marks the second year in a row that Graphic Design
USA (GDUSA) has honored ARRL as an American Graphic Design Awards recipient.
The graphic design elements GDUSA recognized served to highlight or backdrop
displays and exhibits during the League's ARRL EXPO 2005 national convention
at Dayton HamventionR.
"We feel strongly about representing ARRL with consistent images and
messages at hamfests and conventions," said ARRL Marketing Manager Bob
Inderbitzen, NQ1R. "The high-quality designs that Sue and Diane have
produced for ARRL are already being used by field volunteers in several ARRL
sections."
The competition is considered among the most prestigious design awards and
among the most selective, too, Inderbitzen says. Fagan and Szlachetka were
among the 10 percent of nominees honored this year.
Winners receive an embossed certificate of excellence for each piece
selected and become eligible for reproduction in Graphic Design USA's Awards
Annual, seen by more than 100,000 colleagues and clients each year.
==>SOLAR UPDATE
Sun watcher Tad "Tequila Sunrise" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports:
The autumnal equinox for the Northern Hemisphere will occur September 23 at
0402 UTC. Fall is generally a better time for HF propagation, except for a
lack of sporadic-E skip.
Average daily sunspot numbers rose over the past week by 19 points to 44.3.
Geomagnetic conditions were quiet every day. For the next week Geophysical
Institute Prague predicts quiet conditions for September 15, then quiet to
unsettled on the September 16, unsettled geomagnetic activity on September
17 and 18, then quiet on September 19-21. The US Air Force spaceweather
operation predicts planetary A index (a measure of geomagnetic activity) for
September 15-21 at 5, 10, 12, 15, 8, 5 and 5.
For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the
numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service
Propagation page <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>.
Sunspot numbers for September 7 through 13 were 39, 49, 51, 50, 42, 41 and
38, with a mean of 44.3. The 10.7 cm flux was 86.7, 87.2, 85.5, 87.3, 84.6,
84.1, and 82.9, with a mean of 85.5. Estimated planetary A indices were 8,
4, 2, 6, 8, 4 and 6, with a mean of 5.4. Estimated mid-latitude A indices
were 5, 4, 1, 5, 7, 2 and 3, with a mean of 3.9.
__________________________________
==>IN BRIEF:
* This weekend on the radio: The North American Sprint (SSB), the ARRL 10
GHz and Up Contest, F.I.S.T.S. Get Your Feet Wet Weekend, the SARL VHF/UHF
Contest, the Scandinavian Activity Contest (CW), the South Carolina QSO
Party, QRP Afield, the Washington State Salmon Run and the QCWA Fall QSO
Party are the weekend of September 16-17. JUST AHEAD: The Run for the Bacon
QRP Contest and the 144 MHz Fall Sprint are September 18. The NAQCC Straight
Key/Bug Sprint is September 21. The CQ Worldwide DX Contest (RTTY), the
Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB), the Texas QSO Party, the AGCW VHF/UHF
Contest and the UBA ON Contest (CW) are the weekend of September 23-24. The
Fall QRP Homebrewer Sprint is September 25. The 222 MHz Fall Sprint is
September 26. See the ARRL Contest Branch page
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info.
* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
Registration remains open through Sunday, September 24, for these ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) program online courses: Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 (EC-001), Radio Frequency
Interference (EC-006), Antenna Design and Construction (EC-009), Analog
Electronics (EC-012) and Digital Electronics (EC-013). Classes begin on
Friday, October 6. These courses will also open for registration Friday,
September 22, for classes beginning Friday, November 3. To learn more, visit
the CCE Course Listing page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or
contact the CCE Department <cce@arrl.org&gt;.
* ARRL again participating in the Combined Federal Campaign: For the fifth
year running, the US Office of Personnel Management has designated the ARRL
to participate in the 2006 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)
<http://www.opm.gov/cfc/>. In the past, this campaign for federal government
civilian employees, US Postal Service workers and members of the military
has generated more than $69,000 for ARRL programs. The CFC provides an easy
way to support ARRL's efforts to represent its members and all radio
amateurs. Similar to the United Way, the CFC encourages individuals to
pledge by payroll deduction to non-profit organizations of their choice. The
ARRL encourages eligible radio amateurs to consider the League when
designating campaign recipients. Those wishing to select the ARRL to receive
all or part of their payroll deduction should designate organization 9872
when completing their CFC donor forms. Donations to ARRL can be designated
for Diamond Club contributions, the ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund or the ARRL
Education & Technology Program. Or, donors may make unrestricted
contributions to the League. The ARRL Development Office would appreciate a
copy of the donor form <mhobart@arrl.org&gt; to ensure that each contribution
is applied according to the donor's wishes and the contribution or pledge
can be properly acknowledged. The 2006 CFC ends December 15.
* Alan Bloom, N1AL, wins August QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the
QST Cover Plaque Award for August is Alan Bloom, N1AL, for his article
"VHF/UHF Mobile Propagation." Congratulations, Alan! The winner of the QST
Cover Plaque award--given to the author or authors of the best article in
each issue--is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque
Poll Web page <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/QSTvote.html>. Cast a ballot
for your favorite article in the September issue by Saturday, September 30.
* Long-distance CW QSO marks milestone in LF experimentation: Steve
McDonald, VE7SL, and J Allen, VY1JA, are claiming the first long-distance,
low-frequency aural CW contact between two Canadian amateurs. The QSO in the
vicinity of 136 kHz (2200 meters) between VY1JA in Whitehorse, Yukon
Territory (CP20) and VE7SL on Mayne Island, British Columbia (CN88) took
place Friday, September 9, at 0705 UTC. The distance between the two
stations is approximately 1000 miles. "It was nice not having to rely on
computers or QRSS [very slow-speed CW] mode to be able to work each other,"
McDonald said. "Copy was 100 percent at both ends with little fading." VY1JA
was running 200 W to a 100-foot top-loaded tower, resonated at 137 KHz,
while VE7SL was running 450 W to a 65-foot wire vertical and three wire
top-hat. While Canada has not yet allocated an Amateur Radio LF band,
Industry Canada has authorized several Canadian hams to experiment in the
vicinity of 136 kHz. "LF experimental work by Canadian amateurs continues to
demonstrate the suitability of 2200 meters for reliable two-way
communications with simple homemade equipment and without causing
interference to primary users of the band," McDonald concluded. For more
information on 2200 meter activity in Canada, visit The VE7SL Radio Notebook
<http://imagenisp.com/jsm/136.html>.
* Microwave Update 2006 offers learning opportunity: Microwave Update 2006
(MUD 2006) will take place in Dayton, Ohio, Friday and Saturday, October
20-21. Sponsored by the Midwest VHF/UHF Society and held for the first time
in Dayton, this conference offers an excellent opportunity to learn about
Amateur Radio microwave activity. Forum presentations are set for both days.
There will be a flea market Friday night, and the banquet (with door prize)
will be held Saturday evening. Full registration information is available on
the MUD 2006 Web site <http://www.microwaveupdate.org/>. Registration is $40
before September 30, $45 after September 30, and $50 at the door. Banquet
tickets are $30 per person. Registration includes a volume of the conference
Proceedings.
* Lifetime licenses for UK/Great Britain hams delayed: UK/Great Britain
telecommunications regulator Ofcom has announced that the implementation of
lifetime Amateur Radio licenses and revised license terms and conditions has
been postponed until December, the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB)
reports. After October 1, however, Amateur Radio licenses will be issued
free of charge. RSGB says Ofcom will begin issuing lifetime licenses and the
revised licensing terms and conditions in December. Free lifetime licenses
will be subject to validation at least every five years via the Ofcom Web
site. Changes to Amateur Radio regulations in the UK include eliminating the
need to maintain a log book, allowing radio amateurs to operate stations by
remote control, substantial alterations to emergency operations, and the
recognition of a number of additional user services. AMSAT-UK meanwhile has
welcomed Ofcom's decision to allow Foundation class licensees to access the
Amateur Satellite service as part of the revised amateur regulations. "This
will enable enthusiastic operators to experience the thrills and challenges
of space communications," AMSAT-UK said in a statement.
* Islands on the Air program announces Icom sponsorship deal: The Radio
Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has announced that Icom will become the new
corporate sponsor of its Islands on the Air (IOTA) program, effective
October 1. "This three-year worldwide sponsorship deal is a major boost to
IOTA both in the UK and internationally," the RSGB said. "Principally
involving sponsorship from both Icom UK and Icom America, this deal is set
to build this already-popular program into 2009 and beyond." RSGB says the
IOTA program has expanded significantly in recent years and now boasts tens
of thousands of participants. New Web-based software has been launched to
ease the filing and checking of award applications. Since IOTA's launch in
1964, both Yaesu and Kenwood have served as program sponsors. More
information on the program is on the IOTA Web site
<http://www.rsgbiota.org/index.php4>.
===========================================================
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Radio Relay League: ARRL--the National Association For Amateur Radio, 225
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modification" to make selections effective. (NOTE: HQ staff members cannot
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Members Only Web Site.)
The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these
sources:
* ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>. (NOTE: The ARRL Letter will be
posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.)
* The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur Radio
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<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list>. (NOTE: The ARRL
cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this listserver.)

The ARRL Letter

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly summary of essential news of interest to active amateurs that is available in advance of publication in QST, our official journal. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise and readable.

Much of the ARRL Letter content is also available in audio form in ARRL Audio News.

Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.

Back issues published since 2000 are available on this page. If you wish to subscribe via e-mail, simply log on to the ARRL Web site, click on Edit Your Profile at the top, then click on Edit Email Subscriptions. Check the box next to The ARRL email newsletter, the ARRL Letter and you will receive each weekly issue in HTML format. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Plain-Text

The ARRL E-Letter e-mail is also available in plain-text version:

Outlook Express

1. From the Inbox view, select the Tools menu and the Options selection.

2. Click the Read tab

3. Check the Read All Messages In Plain Text box. When you open the e-mail, it will be in plain text without images. Other e-mail programs may be able to make a Mail Rule for e-mail received from the address memberlist@www.arrl.org so that the plain-text-only display is selected automatically.

Outlook 2007

Use the same procedure as for Outlook Express, although the global option is under "Tools/Trust Center/E-mail Security".

Use the "Message text garbled?" link in the drop-down menu at the upper right of the displayed message block. pine, alpine Set "prefer-plain-text" in your ~/.pinerc configuration file: feature-list=..., prefer-plain-text, ...